RSS
Home
Keep Your Eyes Open – Avoid Accidents!
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Can Every Accident Be Avoided? That’s a good question. The answer is complicated though. It all boils down to YOU! Will you begin to make safety a priority at home and in the workplace? Will you develop a safety attitude? If each of us would make that type of quality commitment toward living safer, then the answer is definitely YES!
Most of us don’t believe an accident will occur to us so we don’t plan or take precautions. We think accidents happen to others. But sometimes our lives are dramatically affected by the actions of others. Take this example for instance from this True Story about a family in Richardson, Texas.
The Father was moving his SUV so he could get in a storage area in his garage. He started his SUV and backed up without even glancing backwards. His 2 year old daughter was playing right behind his SUV. His precious little girl was hit by a 3-ton mass of steel. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Results?
1. A child was killed.
2. A family was devastated.
3. A tragic accident that could have been avoided.
This accident was easily preventable. The man should have looked behind his vehicle. He probably knew that his daughter had a habit of playing in the driveway. Kids are like that. A tragic accident that could have been avoided!
Throughout the US, 50 children are backed over by a vehicle each week. In 2008, 320 young children were killed and thousands severely injured when a vehicle driven by a family member backed over them in their home driveway.
• Teach kids that they are to never play in, around or behind a car.
• Make your driveway a toy-free zone. Never allow any toys, bikes, chalks or any type of equipment to remain on the driveway.
• Never leave your child alone in the car or around the car, even for a quick second.
• Always back your vehicle into your driveway.
• Larger vehicles have a huge blind spots, always walk around your vehicle before moving it.
It’s important as people and as families for us to give some thought to what we can do to prevent accidents in our homes and at work. With just a bit of thought, we can make a significant difference.
Why not start by holding monthly “Safety Meetings” in your home? Discuss potential hazards, such as obstacles lying in walkways or poisons carelessly left under the sink where any child could get at them. Let the whole family get involved by making up lists of things they can do to make the home and yard safer for everyone.
This could result in a significant decrease in the number of accidents in your world and most important; keep your love ones alive!
Watch this very important video on backover accidents!
http://www.kcci.com/video/4530095/index.html
Chris has more than 20 years of professional-safety experience. As the marketing manager for DuPont’s environmental and safety services, he has seen firsthand the safety challenges faced by plant personnel while working with more than 600 chemical, petrochemical and manufacturing facilities. Chris is an award-winning international safety speaker and author. Contact Chris here if you have any questions or suggestions.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
